Abstract:

Background: Intestinal parasitic infections cause significant morbidity and mortality mostly in developing countries. It is the second leading cause of mortality in children aged below six years in Africa (WHO). High prevalence in Tanzania is mostly due to limited access to safe water, limited personal hygienic factors, and environmental factors. Main route of transmission is by fecal-oral route. Mostly are asymptomatic, and main complications being malnutrition, malabsorption, anemia, growth and development disorders, physical and mental consequences.
Aim: To determine prevalence and associated risk factors of Intestinal parasitic infections among children aged below 12 years attending at Sengerema District Hospital.

Methodology; a hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2021 which involved a total of 151 children.

Results: The study involved 151 participants of which 85(56.3%) were males. Median age of participants was 4 [3 – 7] years. Prevalence of intestinal parasites infestation was 22 (14.6%), common helminthes identified were the hookworm in 10(45.5%), and Ascaris lumbricoides 5(22.7%). Protozoa included Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 6(27.3%) and giardia lamblia 1(4.6%). Toilet training was associated with intestinal parasites (OR=0.34, 95%CI, 0.11 – 1.08, P=0.05).

Conclusion: The study has revealed that the prevalence of intestinal parasites is a common problem among children attending at SDDH. Toilet training seems to be a protective factor against intestinal parasites infestation in this study.